Officer Shoots Man Involved In Domestic Disturbance

by William F. Galvin

            HARWICH – A police officer responding to a 911 call reporting a domestic disturbance in West Harwich Monday evening shot a man after a foot chase. The incident happened along Willow Street near the corner of Belmont Road.

            Little information regarding the incident has been released by law enforcement officials. Police Chief William Mason said Tuesday evening he “basically has a gag order” through a policy adopted by the Cape Cod Regional Law Enforcement Council which allows only immediate general facts to be released.

Once the case is turned over to the State Police CPAC Unit, Barnstable County District Attorney Michael O’Keefe takes control of information dissemination, Mason said.

            O’Keefe’s office issued a press release stating the Harwich police department  received a 911 call regarding a domestic disturbance on Monday at 5:59 p.m. from the alleged victim.

            “Harwich officers were dispatched to the area. A responding officer observed the alleged perpetrator, Marcus Miranda, Jr. (date of birth 11/13/78) of 11 Division St. on foot. The officer pursued Miranda on foot.

            “The pursuit led to an area near Willow and Belmont streets in Harwich. The officer ordered Mr. Miranda to stop. A confrontation ensured wherein the officer discharged a weapon,” the release states.

            Miranda, 29, was admitted to Cape Cod Hospital. David Reilly, a spokesperson for Cape Cod Healthcare, said late Tuesday afternoon Miranda was an inpatient at the hospital and is listed in stable condition.

            The district attorney’s press release said Miranda has been charged with a number of offenses related to the domestic disturbance. The case remains under investigation by members of the detective unit of the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office.            

            Several calls to the district attorney’s office seeking additional information about the shooting were not returned. On Tuesday morning a Harwich Police cruiser was parked in the driveway of 40 Willow St. The yellow police line tape was stretched across the side entrance to the property off of Belmont Road. A police department transportable lighting system was stationed in one corner of the property.

            Mason said the immediate general facts of the case issued by Lt. Thomas Gagnon were accurate. Among those statements Gagnon said the Harwich officer “fired in defense of his life.” Gagnon said it appeared the suspect “made threatening statements to our officer” and that Miranda approached the officer aggressively and appeared to have a weapon.

            The name of the officer who shot Miranda has not been released by authorities. Mason did say the officer has been put on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure and “should not reflect that he has done anything wrong.” The officer will also see the department psychologist as is required by policy.

            Mason apologized for not be able to release more details on Tuesday evening, adding “this department has nothing to hide.” He did say the district attorney’s office was planning to release a more detailed statement on Wednesday morning, after The Chronicle’s deadline.

10/2/08